Rod - Lure Weight Question.

[Dypsis]

So I have rod A that has a recommended lure weight of 3/8-1oz - what if I put a 1/8-1/4oz lure on it?  

 

Same kind of question with rod B - 1/8-3/8 but I put a 3/4oz lure on it.

 

What are the cons to putting something outside the recommended weight on it - bad hook set, sensitivity?  

 

Thanks!

[rippin-lips]

Rod A would/could not load properly and could result in less casting distance.

Rod B would/could overload and could result in less casting distance and even damage your rod.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That's right. Lure weight ratings are subjective so a little trial and error is in order. The sweet spot usually lies somewhere in the middle of the suggested range. A weight too light to load the rod properly will also negatively affect accuracy as the release point is incorrect. It can also lead to backlashes on a bait-caster as you'll find yourself forcing the cast. Extra weight usually has less negative affect but accuracy can fall off. A lob cast with heavy weight won't hurt anything but too much weight combined with a snap cast on a fast action blank is asking for trouble. How much is too much? The only way to tell for sure is after the fact so a little common sense and attention to what's going on is required. Overloading the rod to a point that there's not enough power for hook-sets is approaching the danger zone too as you might expect.

[Dypsis]

Thanks for the replies - can you define or go into more depth on 'loading' a rod, 'load' on a rod, etc?  For others (me) that might be reading and wondering?

[IAY]

Thanks for the replies - can you define or go into more depth on 'loading' a rod, 'load' on a rod, etc?  For others (me) that might be reading and wondering?

It means how rod flexes when you are casting to give optimal power to send it flying.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Right. Kinda like drawing back a bow to shoot an arrow. 

[WRB]

Not enough information to make an evaluation.

Example rod A appears to be a bass rod in the medium heavy power or 3 to 4 power IF it's a fast action bass rod. It could be a crankbait rod that is 7'6" long, a pistol grip 5' 6" baitcasting rod or a 9' steel head spinning rod.

Rod B could be a 5'6" trout spinning rod with moderate action unsuitable for nearly most bass lures.

Tom

[SirSnookalot]

I overload my rods for my morning fishing everyday, I don't have rod that I don't overload, in fact most people I know do the same thing.  I under load as well, an 1/8 jig on 1 oz mh is a common practice.  I have never seen any rod damage to me or anyone over the last 10 years.  

My afternoon fishing is either bass or peacocks, I never overload these rods there isn't any point to it.  

[new2BC4bass]

Best thing to do is try the weights on the rod to see if that weight works.  I have 2 rods that I can't go under the listed weight if I expect to get any kind of distance.  I don't consider 30' suitably for my fishing under normal circumstances.  I don't fish heavy enough lures to worry about overloading a rod.  Well........I could try a 7/8 oz. on a rod with 3/8 oz. high end rating, but I think casting that weight would be the least of my worries with a rod that wimpy.

[hatrix]

All you can really do is try them out and see what happens. A good rod should be able to throw over or under the weight it has listed. Well probably any rod really. I have some rods I throw way under the listed weight. I can bomb a 1/2 oz on a rod that is rated at 1.5-5 oz. and throw up to 6.5 or so. 

[Turkey sandwich]

Loading a rod is what happens when you draw back to cast and unloading is when you release the cast. Think of the rod blank as a spring that allows you to catapult your lure/bait. The best distance/accuracy is typically within the range stated on the rod.

Simple analogy - the rod is like a spring. Now, you may have springs designed to close the front door on your home and they're adequate for that. You may also have springs to close your garage door that are adequate for that. And here are also springs in vehicle suspensions designed to be adequate for that. If you took the springs off of your car and somehow installed them on your front door, it would never open (load). Similarly, if you were to take either set of door springs and put them on your truck, they'd never never release or "spring back" (unload).